Bad News
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
*****
Spike opened his eyes slowly as he heard someone shifting around in the room behind him. He looked to his left and saw an absence of Buffy. He flopped over and looked behind. He found Buffy closing the blinds and picking up the batteries to the remote.
"Mornin' luv." Spike looked at Buffy whose hair was wet and her body draped in a tightly tied robe.
"Wow, you're up early." She walked over him onto the couch. He flipped over on his back and watched as she sat down.
"Yeah, thanks to you. Makin' all that bloody noise back there."
"Well," Buffy plopped her feet on Spike's chest and looked at him innocently as he lay there under her feet, "excuse me for making sure that the love of my life doesn't burst into flames." He laughed a bit and sat up. She picked her feet up motioning for him to slip out from under her, and so he did. He stood up and looked around.
"Anybody home?" He smirked.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Yes, Dawn is upstairs sleeping still, but Willow and Tara went off to the Magic Box."
"How is she?" Spike asked, referring to Dawn.
"She's better, actually. She's wiped though, so she's staying here today."
"Well, that's good. I should probably get cleaned up." Spike looked at Buffy and she nodded.
"Clean towels are upstairs in the closet next to the bathroom." She smiled as Spike bent down to kiss her.
"Thanks, pet." He made his way up the stairs. Buffy watched until he was out of sight. She picked up a few odds and ends around the house, then went to the kitchen and sat down at the counter. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.
*****
Ten minutes after Spike made his way up the stairs; he stepped out of the shower. He quickly dried himself off and got dressed. He threw on his jeans, and a gray T-shirt. He ran a towel through his hair, and looked for a comb. He found a small pink one next to the sink, and decided it was better than nothing. He combed back his hair and sighed. He hadn't planned on staying there the whole night, so he didn't have his hair gel handy. He folded his towel and threw it in a basket next to the toilet.
He walked down the hall towards the stairs, but decided to take a peek and check on Dawn first. He stood in her doorway, watching her shake slightly as she slept. He walked in and kneeled down at the side of her bed.
"It'll be okay, luv. I promise." He hated seeing her sick like this. He grabbed a warm wash cloth from her nightstand and brushed it over her forehead. He kissed her head gently and stood up to go downstairs.
He made his way downstairs only to find the living room empty. He walked in the kitchen and smirked at a sleeping Buffy, whose head was resting gently upon his black leather duster, her golden locks spread everywhere. He leaned down and blew slightly in her ear. She muffled something but didn't wake up. He traced his finger along the back of her neck, and kissed her ear gently. She stirred a bit, and reluctantly woke up.
"I gotta go." He whispered softly into her ear. Buffy groaned and tried to convince him to stay.
"Please? I don't want you to go." Her words were so slurred together from her being half-asleep that he could hardly understand her. But he couldn't resist her begging. It was not often that he got to hear it.
"Fine." He sat down in the stool next to her.
"Thank you." She told him, so happy she was practically singing the words. She walked behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and placed her head on his shoulders. She looked up at his hair and tousled it a bit. "I hate it when I have to say goodbye to you." She smiled and kissed his neck.
Spike sat there, feeling his body become colder than it already was. He didn't know how he was going to tell her. If she thought saying goodbye was hard only when it was for a few hours, then she had no idea what was coming.
*****
"One with great power shall rise to the . . . oh, the uh . . . damnit!" Giles threw the book down on the counter and wiped his glasses clean with a white cloth from his pocket.
"Problems oh Great Giles?" Xander asked.
"Yes, I- I can't seem to figure out this prophecy. Apparently, on with great power is going to rise . . . somewhere, or at some time. It could be very soon. We need to figure this out fast." Giles explained.
"Well, we can count these books out." Xander said, staring at the thirty some books in front of him.
"These also." Willow and Tara simultaneously threw their books on the table.
"We are getting absolutely no where." Anya blurted out.
"Well, don't you have a talent for stating the obvious." Xander smiled at his fiancée.
"Well someone had to say it." Anya went back to counting her money, while the rest all looked in new books.
*****
"Okay, but when you come back, don't go to the Magic Box. Come here, I really don't want to leave Dawn." Buffy informed Spike while walking him to the door.
"Ok." Spike kissed Buffy real quick before throwing his blanket over his head, and running out through the sunlight to his crypt.
Spike ducked under a tree real quick to cool down, then continued running. He ran into his crypt faster than ever, then plopped down on his chair, brushing away some of the smoke around him.
Now, he had a few hours to kill. The truth was that there was no big vampire coming to town. He had all the information he needed, and he knew what was going to happen, and what he had to do. He didn't want to worry Buffy yesterday, and he knew that what was going to occur, wasn't happening soon. He wanted to give her and the rest of the Scoobies a little bit more time, before he had to tell them . . . that he needed to go.
*****
Giles, Xander, Anya, Tara, Willow and Buffy all sat quietly in the living room of the Summer's residence. Giles had his book in hand, still trying to translate the prophecy he had been working on for several hours. Buffy sat twiddling her thumbs impatiently. She had already been for a quick patrol, only slaying one vampire. It had been 6 hours and Spike still hadn't come. Xander sat quietly in a chair, holding Anya's hand. The room was full of an unfamiliar tension. One of fear, anxiety, and most strangely, love.
Spike quietly walked in the room, not wanting to cause a fuss. He was greeted by a worried Buffy, who kissed him tenderly, not paying any attention to the people around him.
Giles, watching the display, popped up out of his seat. "What!?" He asked.
"Huh?" Anya asked in return to Giles' remark.
"Oh, dear Lord." Giles rolled his eyes. "Did none of you see that? Xander, you . . . well you should be up, uh, waving your arms around at that putrid display." Giles looked around confused.
"Uh, where have you been?" Anya asked. "We all knew."
"I-is this . . . true?" Giles asked.
"Uh, Giles, maybe you should try crawling out from under your books sometime. Just, sit down." Xander told Giles. Giles sat down, still confused.
"A-and hey, it's not putrid. It's, it's . . . well it's adorable." Willow stated.
"Thanks Red." Spike smiled at Willow, who politely smiled back. Spike looked back at Giles, who still seemed to be wearing a bewildered look on his face. He was about to say something when Buffy beat him to it.
"Uh, keep it up and your face will be stuck like that."
Giles just smiled, and Spike couldn't help but laugh. His laughter was cut short as he remembered what he was really there for. He turned to Buffy, taking her hand.
"Sit down, luv." He told Buffy, the tone in his voice stern. He let go of Buffy's hand and let her sit.
"M'vampire friend turned out to be quite helpful." Spike lied to the people around him. "It's positive that we do have a situation. It seems that there is a vampire clan, a small clan . . . 'bout four blokes if I remember correctly. They're powerful, and fearless it seems. Not that they would have anything to fear."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Buffy asked Spike, confused.
"It seems they're invincible. Absolutely nothing can stop them. They can be dusted, but never truly killed. They always come back, sometimes stronger and even more powerful. I'm guessing those vamps you dusted a few nights back," Spike looked at Buffy, "already back and on the road. They don't like to stay in one place for to long, especially a place that is home to a Slayer." Spike finished, looking around as if for questions.
"Well, what is the name of this 'clan', do you know?" Giles spoke up.
"Oh, glad you asked, Watcher, otherwise I probably would have forgotten." Everybody in room rolled their eyes and waited for Spike to continue. "Oh, right. The Clan of Nepsus, I believe they are called."
"Nepsus, I do believe I have heard that somewhere before. Uh, let me check one of the books I have at home, the rest of you check the books I brought with me." Giles instructed everyone.
"I'll look up some stuff on the net, see what I can find." Willow told everyone.
"Y-yes, good idea. I'll be back." Giles left the house and headed for home.
"The sooner we find some dirt on these Nepsus guys, the sooner Giles can decipher that prophecy." Buffy stated as she moved over towards Spike. "You okay? You seem a bit shaken up." She felt like there was something he wasn't telling her, but she didn't want to push it.
"Yeah, pet, I'm fine." Spike lied to Buffy. He hated lying to her, and he hated himself for doing so. Every time he thought of the news he would sooner of later have to tell her, he had to try so hard to fight back the on coming tears. Spike sat on the edge of the sofa. He stroked Buffy's soft hair and got a faraway look in his eyes. He managed to speak through his gritted teeth and whispered a phrase which he seemed to be using a lot lately.
"It'll all be okay."
*****
"Of course." Giles snapped his book shut, grabbed his coat, and left his home. He drove fast towards the Summer's house. As soon as he got there, he ran up to the house and entered swiftly. Nobody seemed to notice his presence except Spike, who seemed much paler than usual.
Spike grew a lump in his throat as Giles entered the house. He knew that Giles had figured it out and that he would be leaving soon. He didn't know how he was going to tell Buffy and it was killing him. Leaving her was going to be the hardest thing he ever had to do in his whole existence. He was torn away from his thoughts by the sound of Tara's quiet voice.
"G-Giles, you're back. D-did you figure it out? Do you, uh, do you know what we're dealing with?" Tara asked almost in a whisper.
"Yes, I uh, I'm afraid so." Giles told Tara. Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and looked at Giles. Spike sat quietly not moving from his position, his body heavy with guilt.
"So what's up Giles?" Buffy asked, slowly moving towards Spike, sensing that something was wrong.
"Well, first . . . The Clan of Nepsus. They are not as invincible as we have come to think. Each vampire owns a small item containing their invincibility. Once destroyed they are weakened and can be killed, permanently. After the source of their power is ruined, they have no way of getting it back. " Giles told everyone.
"Kind of like my power source." Anya chimed in. "The one which you carelessly and brutally destroyed." She smiled up at Giles.
"Well . . . yes." He answered with his head down. "Uh, Buffy did you notice any sort of jewelry on the vampires. Uh, a broach or a necklace perhaps?" Giles asked.
"Oh! Uh, they all had these little tacky ring things." Buffy told Giles.
"Right, that's it then, destroy the rings and stake the vamps. Easy as that?" Spike asked, sounding a bit uneasy.
"Uh, well, yes I suppose so. But the prophecy, " Giles opened his book, "if I could just . . . " His face went completely blank.
"What? Giles, what is it?" Buffy was a little on edge.
"That's it." Giles looked astounded. "It's not what I thought it would be . . . not at all."
"Giles, what are you talking about?" Buffy was becoming frustrated. Spike placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Shhh. Calm down, luv." He told her, as he brushed her cheek with his finger. She smiled and closed her eyes as his cold hand met her skin. He smiled back at her. Giles began to read the prophecy.
"One with great power shall rise to the occasion, let it be the Chosen One, or one not of Chosen blood. One with strength and skill, agility and speed, shall be dead within the fight." Giles finished closing the book slowly. Spike looked at his feet, his eyes building with tears.
The room quickly filled with an uncomfortable silence. Buffy slowly sat on Spike's lap, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. She was staring off into space, not sure what to do. She had just gotten her life back together, hell, she had just gotten her life back. Now she was going to die . . . again.
"Guess I'm dead then." Buffy spoke up. Spike shifted uncomfortably and looked at everybody in the room.
"No," He said loudly to everyone, his voice slightly cracking, "I am."
*****
Ohhhhhh! Don't hate me. It will all be fine, I swear. You just have to trust me. Feedback? Oh, and just out of pure curiosity, do you like the format better double-spaced, or single-spaced like in all my other parts. Just wondering.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
*****
Spike opened his eyes slowly as he heard someone shifting around in the room behind him. He looked to his left and saw an absence of Buffy. He flopped over and looked behind. He found Buffy closing the blinds and picking up the batteries to the remote.
"Mornin' luv." Spike looked at Buffy whose hair was wet and her body draped in a tightly tied robe.
"Wow, you're up early." She walked over him onto the couch. He flipped over on his back and watched as she sat down.
"Yeah, thanks to you. Makin' all that bloody noise back there."
"Well," Buffy plopped her feet on Spike's chest and looked at him innocently as he lay there under her feet, "excuse me for making sure that the love of my life doesn't burst into flames." He laughed a bit and sat up. She picked her feet up motioning for him to slip out from under her, and so he did. He stood up and looked around.
"Anybody home?" He smirked.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Yes, Dawn is upstairs sleeping still, but Willow and Tara went off to the Magic Box."
"How is she?" Spike asked, referring to Dawn.
"She's better, actually. She's wiped though, so she's staying here today."
"Well, that's good. I should probably get cleaned up." Spike looked at Buffy and she nodded.
"Clean towels are upstairs in the closet next to the bathroom." She smiled as Spike bent down to kiss her.
"Thanks, pet." He made his way up the stairs. Buffy watched until he was out of sight. She picked up a few odds and ends around the house, then went to the kitchen and sat down at the counter. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.
*****
Ten minutes after Spike made his way up the stairs; he stepped out of the shower. He quickly dried himself off and got dressed. He threw on his jeans, and a gray T-shirt. He ran a towel through his hair, and looked for a comb. He found a small pink one next to the sink, and decided it was better than nothing. He combed back his hair and sighed. He hadn't planned on staying there the whole night, so he didn't have his hair gel handy. He folded his towel and threw it in a basket next to the toilet.
He walked down the hall towards the stairs, but decided to take a peek and check on Dawn first. He stood in her doorway, watching her shake slightly as she slept. He walked in and kneeled down at the side of her bed.
"It'll be okay, luv. I promise." He hated seeing her sick like this. He grabbed a warm wash cloth from her nightstand and brushed it over her forehead. He kissed her head gently and stood up to go downstairs.
He made his way downstairs only to find the living room empty. He walked in the kitchen and smirked at a sleeping Buffy, whose head was resting gently upon his black leather duster, her golden locks spread everywhere. He leaned down and blew slightly in her ear. She muffled something but didn't wake up. He traced his finger along the back of her neck, and kissed her ear gently. She stirred a bit, and reluctantly woke up.
"I gotta go." He whispered softly into her ear. Buffy groaned and tried to convince him to stay.
"Please? I don't want you to go." Her words were so slurred together from her being half-asleep that he could hardly understand her. But he couldn't resist her begging. It was not often that he got to hear it.
"Fine." He sat down in the stool next to her.
"Thank you." She told him, so happy she was practically singing the words. She walked behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and placed her head on his shoulders. She looked up at his hair and tousled it a bit. "I hate it when I have to say goodbye to you." She smiled and kissed his neck.
Spike sat there, feeling his body become colder than it already was. He didn't know how he was going to tell her. If she thought saying goodbye was hard only when it was for a few hours, then she had no idea what was coming.
*****
"One with great power shall rise to the . . . oh, the uh . . . damnit!" Giles threw the book down on the counter and wiped his glasses clean with a white cloth from his pocket.
"Problems oh Great Giles?" Xander asked.
"Yes, I- I can't seem to figure out this prophecy. Apparently, on with great power is going to rise . . . somewhere, or at some time. It could be very soon. We need to figure this out fast." Giles explained.
"Well, we can count these books out." Xander said, staring at the thirty some books in front of him.
"These also." Willow and Tara simultaneously threw their books on the table.
"We are getting absolutely no where." Anya blurted out.
"Well, don't you have a talent for stating the obvious." Xander smiled at his fiancée.
"Well someone had to say it." Anya went back to counting her money, while the rest all looked in new books.
*****
"Okay, but when you come back, don't go to the Magic Box. Come here, I really don't want to leave Dawn." Buffy informed Spike while walking him to the door.
"Ok." Spike kissed Buffy real quick before throwing his blanket over his head, and running out through the sunlight to his crypt.
Spike ducked under a tree real quick to cool down, then continued running. He ran into his crypt faster than ever, then plopped down on his chair, brushing away some of the smoke around him.
Now, he had a few hours to kill. The truth was that there was no big vampire coming to town. He had all the information he needed, and he knew what was going to happen, and what he had to do. He didn't want to worry Buffy yesterday, and he knew that what was going to occur, wasn't happening soon. He wanted to give her and the rest of the Scoobies a little bit more time, before he had to tell them . . . that he needed to go.
*****
Giles, Xander, Anya, Tara, Willow and Buffy all sat quietly in the living room of the Summer's residence. Giles had his book in hand, still trying to translate the prophecy he had been working on for several hours. Buffy sat twiddling her thumbs impatiently. She had already been for a quick patrol, only slaying one vampire. It had been 6 hours and Spike still hadn't come. Xander sat quietly in a chair, holding Anya's hand. The room was full of an unfamiliar tension. One of fear, anxiety, and most strangely, love.
Spike quietly walked in the room, not wanting to cause a fuss. He was greeted by a worried Buffy, who kissed him tenderly, not paying any attention to the people around him.
Giles, watching the display, popped up out of his seat. "What!?" He asked.
"Huh?" Anya asked in return to Giles' remark.
"Oh, dear Lord." Giles rolled his eyes. "Did none of you see that? Xander, you . . . well you should be up, uh, waving your arms around at that putrid display." Giles looked around confused.
"Uh, where have you been?" Anya asked. "We all knew."
"I-is this . . . true?" Giles asked.
"Uh, Giles, maybe you should try crawling out from under your books sometime. Just, sit down." Xander told Giles. Giles sat down, still confused.
"A-and hey, it's not putrid. It's, it's . . . well it's adorable." Willow stated.
"Thanks Red." Spike smiled at Willow, who politely smiled back. Spike looked back at Giles, who still seemed to be wearing a bewildered look on his face. He was about to say something when Buffy beat him to it.
"Uh, keep it up and your face will be stuck like that."
Giles just smiled, and Spike couldn't help but laugh. His laughter was cut short as he remembered what he was really there for. He turned to Buffy, taking her hand.
"Sit down, luv." He told Buffy, the tone in his voice stern. He let go of Buffy's hand and let her sit.
"M'vampire friend turned out to be quite helpful." Spike lied to the people around him. "It's positive that we do have a situation. It seems that there is a vampire clan, a small clan . . . 'bout four blokes if I remember correctly. They're powerful, and fearless it seems. Not that they would have anything to fear."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Buffy asked Spike, confused.
"It seems they're invincible. Absolutely nothing can stop them. They can be dusted, but never truly killed. They always come back, sometimes stronger and even more powerful. I'm guessing those vamps you dusted a few nights back," Spike looked at Buffy, "already back and on the road. They don't like to stay in one place for to long, especially a place that is home to a Slayer." Spike finished, looking around as if for questions.
"Well, what is the name of this 'clan', do you know?" Giles spoke up.
"Oh, glad you asked, Watcher, otherwise I probably would have forgotten." Everybody in room rolled their eyes and waited for Spike to continue. "Oh, right. The Clan of Nepsus, I believe they are called."
"Nepsus, I do believe I have heard that somewhere before. Uh, let me check one of the books I have at home, the rest of you check the books I brought with me." Giles instructed everyone.
"I'll look up some stuff on the net, see what I can find." Willow told everyone.
"Y-yes, good idea. I'll be back." Giles left the house and headed for home.
"The sooner we find some dirt on these Nepsus guys, the sooner Giles can decipher that prophecy." Buffy stated as she moved over towards Spike. "You okay? You seem a bit shaken up." She felt like there was something he wasn't telling her, but she didn't want to push it.
"Yeah, pet, I'm fine." Spike lied to Buffy. He hated lying to her, and he hated himself for doing so. Every time he thought of the news he would sooner of later have to tell her, he had to try so hard to fight back the on coming tears. Spike sat on the edge of the sofa. He stroked Buffy's soft hair and got a faraway look in his eyes. He managed to speak through his gritted teeth and whispered a phrase which he seemed to be using a lot lately.
"It'll all be okay."
*****
"Of course." Giles snapped his book shut, grabbed his coat, and left his home. He drove fast towards the Summer's house. As soon as he got there, he ran up to the house and entered swiftly. Nobody seemed to notice his presence except Spike, who seemed much paler than usual.
Spike grew a lump in his throat as Giles entered the house. He knew that Giles had figured it out and that he would be leaving soon. He didn't know how he was going to tell Buffy and it was killing him. Leaving her was going to be the hardest thing he ever had to do in his whole existence. He was torn away from his thoughts by the sound of Tara's quiet voice.
"G-Giles, you're back. D-did you figure it out? Do you, uh, do you know what we're dealing with?" Tara asked almost in a whisper.
"Yes, I uh, I'm afraid so." Giles told Tara. Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and looked at Giles. Spike sat quietly not moving from his position, his body heavy with guilt.
"So what's up Giles?" Buffy asked, slowly moving towards Spike, sensing that something was wrong.
"Well, first . . . The Clan of Nepsus. They are not as invincible as we have come to think. Each vampire owns a small item containing their invincibility. Once destroyed they are weakened and can be killed, permanently. After the source of their power is ruined, they have no way of getting it back. " Giles told everyone.
"Kind of like my power source." Anya chimed in. "The one which you carelessly and brutally destroyed." She smiled up at Giles.
"Well . . . yes." He answered with his head down. "Uh, Buffy did you notice any sort of jewelry on the vampires. Uh, a broach or a necklace perhaps?" Giles asked.
"Oh! Uh, they all had these little tacky ring things." Buffy told Giles.
"Right, that's it then, destroy the rings and stake the vamps. Easy as that?" Spike asked, sounding a bit uneasy.
"Uh, well, yes I suppose so. But the prophecy, " Giles opened his book, "if I could just . . . " His face went completely blank.
"What? Giles, what is it?" Buffy was a little on edge.
"That's it." Giles looked astounded. "It's not what I thought it would be . . . not at all."
"Giles, what are you talking about?" Buffy was becoming frustrated. Spike placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Shhh. Calm down, luv." He told her, as he brushed her cheek with his finger. She smiled and closed her eyes as his cold hand met her skin. He smiled back at her. Giles began to read the prophecy.
"One with great power shall rise to the occasion, let it be the Chosen One, or one not of Chosen blood. One with strength and skill, agility and speed, shall be dead within the fight." Giles finished closing the book slowly. Spike looked at his feet, his eyes building with tears.
The room quickly filled with an uncomfortable silence. Buffy slowly sat on Spike's lap, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. She was staring off into space, not sure what to do. She had just gotten her life back together, hell, she had just gotten her life back. Now she was going to die . . . again.
"Guess I'm dead then." Buffy spoke up. Spike shifted uncomfortably and looked at everybody in the room.
"No," He said loudly to everyone, his voice slightly cracking, "I am."
*****
Ohhhhhh! Don't hate me. It will all be fine, I swear. You just have to trust me. Feedback? Oh, and just out of pure curiosity, do you like the format better double-spaced, or single-spaced like in all my other parts. Just wondering.